Four UIS students receive Avery Brundage scholarships

June 2, 2005

SPRINGFIELD – Four students at the University of Illinois at
Springfield -- Melanie Cain, Esteban Czwan Altobelli, Samantha Drews, and
Brian McMillen -- were among 22 recipients of Avery Brundage Scholarships,
made to U of I students who excel in both academics and athletics. Each
student will receive a $2,000 award for the 2005-2006 academic year.

Cain is from Philo, Illinois, and will be a graduate student in the
Communication program this fall. A member of the women’s basketball team for
three years, she joined the women’s softball team during her senior year. In
high school she was also active in track and field.

Altobelli, who will be a senior in the Computer Science program, is from
Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was the first freshman to join the UIS men’s
tennis team.

Drews, from Moline, will be a junior majoring in Political Studies and
was a member of the women’s tennis team in 2004. She plans to become
involved in student government during 2005.

McMillen is from Springfield. This fall he will be a senior in the
Criminal Justice program. He is a returning member of the men’s basketball
team and was previously active in football and track and field.

Brundage scholarship recipients are selected by a committee representing
the faculties and student bodies of the three U of I campuses. Students
chosen must engage in athletics for personal development, not as preparation
for professional sports; must be working toward bachelors, masters, or
doctoral degrees at the U of I; and must be in the upper 25 percent of their
undergraduate class or in good academic standing in their graduate program.

The scholarships were established in 1974 by an endowment from Avery
Brundage, University of Illinois alumnus and former president of the
International and U.S. Olympic committees. Since 1974, 691 scholarships
have been awarded, totaling $758,500.

The University of Illinois at Springfield,
one of three U of I campuses, is a small, public liberal arts university
that
offers
42 degree programs – 21
bachelor’s, 20 master’s, and the Doctorate of Public Administration.
UIS has a special mission in public affairs and service and is known for
extraordinary internships, a wireless campus, extensive online offerings,
and a commitment to teaching.